CNN reports that history has been made on Sunday, March 21, 2010, as the House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill overhauling the American medical system.

“The bill passed in a 219-212 vote after more than a year of bitter partisan debate. All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats. The measure, which cleared the Senate in December, will now go to Obama’s desk to be signed into law. It constitutes the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid more than four decades ago.”

CNN also reports that the overall $940 billion plan is projected to extend insurance coverage to roughly 32 million additional Americans and promises to dismantle some of the most inhumane practices of private insurance companies i.e. prevention of coverage based on gender or pre-existing conditions. In addition, a cap will be placed on individual out-of-pocket expenses.

Although it’s a controversial measure, the passing of this healthcare bill is a victory for the Democratic Party and according to CNN, “represents a significant step towards the goal of universal coverage sought by every Democratic president since Harry Truman.”

Interested in talking more about the passage of the Health Care Reform Bill? This, as well as the prevalence of an African American voice in the media, are the topics of discussion tonight on WGBH’s Basic Black! You can tune in to the conversation at 7:30pm on Channel 2 in Boston or watch online at http://www.basicblack.org. There will also be a live online chat throughout the show!